Foreign Minister Eli Cohen thanked New York City Mayor Eric Adams for his efforts to fight antisemitism when they met in Jerusalem on Tuesday.
“Israel appreciates your actions and efforts to fight antisemitism very much,” Cohen said. “We must continue acting in all ways to fight the phenomenon of antisemitism that is raising its head.”
Antisemitic attacks in New York surged in 2022 to the highest level since 1979, according to the Anti-Defamation League, with 416 antisemitic incidents, including 51 assaults, statewide.
Cohen: Israel and New York are connected
Cohen also said Israel and New York are connected by the Jewish community in the city, as well as the many Israeli businesses active in New York. The foreign minister called to “act together to strengthen the economic connections between Israel and New York.”
When Cohen remarked that New York is the city with the largest Jewish population in the world, Adams said: “We like to believe New York is the Israel of America – between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.”
New York City Mayor Eric Adams is seen visiting the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem, on August 22, 2023. (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)Binyamin Regional Council head Israel Ganz was also in the meeting with Adams. Ganz’s office said they met at the Celebrate Israel Parade earlier this year. They discussed cooperation between the American city and the West Bank region on tourism and education.
“Adams showed great interest in what is being done in Binyamin and the growth of Jewish settlement in the region,” Ganz’s office stated. “The two agreed to hold their next meeting in a tour of the Binyamin region.”
Adams is expected to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as leaders of the protest movement against the current government later Tuesday.
The mayor visited the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, as well as the Western Wall and Yad Vashem.
He also visited Rabbi Shmuel Yaakov Kohn, the rebbe of the Toldos Avrohom hassidic sect, which is based in Jerusalem and New York.
Adams paid toured the Mahane Yehuda Market with Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion.
Comments are closed.